What to Catch on TCM This Week - December 30, 2018 - January 5, 2019

This is a new year for TCM and it seems like they are still trying to get their footing after the loss of Robert Osborne, who was the heart of TCM. I think Ben Mankiewicz tries but he just doesn't seem to have the same heart or flare for TCM and what Osborne did for film. We'll have wait and see if it will be a lot of repeats and no new content strategy again this year, I'm hoping that perhaps some new life will get brought in soon. I really miss the Friday night Pulp and B-Movie nights that they used to have, and Foreign Film Sunday nights. It's sad that they stopped doing a lot of that and rely only on the main stream films more often these days, with that said, I'll keep digging around in TCM's schedule and hopefully pull up something that you've always wanted to catch or something new to you that you wouldn't have thought to watch otherwise. I do love TCM with all it has to offer, I just think it has so much broader horizons to achieve and could be one of the best channels out there and could compete with Netflix and Amazon for content if they went full throttle. 

Doctor Zhivago -A love story set during Pre-World War I and the Russian Civil War and into the reign of Stalin. Stunning Cinematography, storytelling and acting come together to make this a classic movie that shouldn't be missed. Omar Sharif gives one of his best performances as Dr.Yuri Zhivago. As the book was banned in Russia the film had to be made mostly in Spain, unfortunately the crew experienced one of the warmest winters in 50 years. Sunday, 2:30 PM MST December 30th

The Maltese Falcon - Probably one of the greatest film noirs ever made and John Huston's directorial debut, The Maltese Falcon centers on Dashiell Hammett's detective Sam Spade. Sam finds himself being used as a pawn when a client drags him into her web of deceit. Sunday, 6:00 PM MST December 30th 

The Silence -Hailed as Ingmar Bergman's masterpiece ending to his cinematic trilogy of dealing with spirituality and human suffering, The Silence is about two very different sisters, one that is dying and one dying to live a free life. Monday, 1:30 AM MST December 31st 

I Love You Again -A con man regains his memory and starts to try to con the con man that was swindling his well behaved alter ego and falls in love with his soon to be ex wife. Monday, 5:00 PM MST December 31st 

Bringing up Baby- A professor of paleontology is awaiting the arrival of a missing bone for his Brontosaurus skeleton that he has been waiting on for four years, when it is stolen by a small dog that belongs to the Aunt of a very free-spirited young woman right before his wedding day. It's a funny, screwball romance that sets the stage for a lot of future romantic comedies and Katherine Hepburn is showcased wonderfully. Tuesday, 8:30 AM MST January 1st

The Awful Truth - Another romantic comedy this time with a twist of a couple divorcing after the husband finds that his wife has been unfaithful. While seperated the wife finds herself engaged to another man but still in love with her soon to be ex-husband.Tuesday, 2:30 PM MST January 1st

It happened in Flatbush- A disgraced baseball player is able to secure a job as a team manager. The team resents him and wants him gone and uses his romance with the team's owner to try to oust him, fortunately it doesn't work and they win the pennant.Tuesday, 6:00 PM MST January 1st

Vanessa: Her Love Story- Vanessa's home burns down and her beau saves her but cannot save her father, she blames him for her father's death and they part ways. When she realizes her mistake, he has already married someone else and she marries Ellis. Unfortunately for Vanessa, there is something not quite right with Ellis. Wednesday, 9:15 AM MST January 2nd 

Old Acquaintance - Lifelong friends Kit and Millie live a life time together as writers and frenemies. Bette Davis plays the sweet and understanding of the pair in this lifelong friendship, but Miriam Hopkins gives her a run for her money as the self involved bitchy friend. Wednesday, 4:00 PM MST January 2nd

Katharine Hepburn : All About Me - Katharine Hepburn is both subject and narrator in this biography on her life and films. Thursday. 2:45 AM MST January 3rd

Ben -Hur - Judah is made a slave for his unwavering faith and wanting freedom for his people by not throwing them to the Romans.Some of the cinematography techniques developed during the filming to deal with the large 70mm lenses and widescreen format are still used today. Thursday, 6:00 PM MST January 3rd

The Train Robbers- Wanting to clear her husband's name for her son, a widow decides to tell the railroad where to find the half a million dollars that her husband stole during a train robbery. She hires a gun for hire to retrieve it but the the original train robbers have gathered and have other ideas for the money. Friday, 2:15 PM MST January 4th

Cyrano De Bergerac - A swordsman and poet helps a friend to woo a woman that he too is in love with but believes that she will refuse him because of his looks. Friday, 8:15 PM MST January 4th

Stranger Than Paradise -Hustler Willie's cousin Eva comes to stay with him in New York while their Aunt is in the hospital. At first a little disgruntled by her presence,Willie and his friend Eddie become quite taken by her and become her friends and protectors. Jim Jarmusch started the film as a short in hopes of getting financing for a feature. Saturday, 2:00 AM MST January 5th 

The Blue Gardenia -A leecherious photographer is found dead in his apartment and an innocent girl thinks she may have done it. Raymond Burr plays the dead leech and Anne Baxter is unwitting victim. Saturday, 11:30 AM MST January 5th

His Kind of Woman -Dan Milner has run out of luck on everything and decides to take a job that will take him out of the country but pays him $50,000 for half a year of work, but unknown to him a gangster wants to use his face to get back into the United States. Saturday, 10:00 PM MST January 5th 

I'm late on getting back to regular writing of this content, I've been sick, the kid's been sick and work just plain burnt me out the past few weeks, but this is becoming my main discipline. Please check back in the coming days for a few more articles. In the next few weeks everything may transfer to Patreon. 

Reintroduction to Reckless Press and Patreon

Why Does Reckless Press Need a Patreon? Well really it comes down to some personal gains, to help my family with rent and bills, but Reckless Press needs a Patreon to publish our first book and start to collect stories for our first literary journal, podcast equipment, promotion to get authors involved in Reckless Press, overhead, etc. But most of all to be able to focus on Reckless Press full time.

Concept Behind Reckless Press: What we do is make it so that the author owns their works and reaps the rewards financially. How we do that is that authors get paid 60% of the profits after office fees (printing fees, editing, promotion etc.) and we take 40% to cover the fees and we donate 5% off our side of the profits to the charity or non-profit of the authors choice. It’s a way for us and our authors to help our community and to better the world.  We would like to be able to increase our donations over the years by expanding Reckless Press into podcasting and other media arts. We will also have a yearly literary journal that is on a selected topic (this year’s topic is Science Fiction) and a majority of the proceeds will go to a charity and we have a writing contest and there will titles given to our top three writers and we hope to expand to having prizes in the future.

What I Personally Want To Be Able To Do: The main goal is for me to leave my fulltime job and to be able to work on Reckless Press fulltime. To focus on my writing and help find authors for Reckless Press to publish and to start working on the editing and podcast side of Reckless Press as well. I want to be able to turn this little idea into a successful and profitable business. I know that it will mean hard work and that I will have to really focus on getting to write and work done, but I think I’m up for this challenge and want to do the work. 

Why We Would Like To Hit A Goal Of $6,000 A Month:  Mostly this amount will go towards making Reckless Press a reality and for me to have the ability to leave my full time job. This money will go to help with mortgage, bills, website, marketing and publishing costs. 

What Patrons Get: Exclusive essays, photos from photo project, copy of literary journal and first book that we publish. Video updates and exclusive podcast content just for Patrons There will also be overviews of scripts I’m working on and updates of other projects and first peek at our website.  

I will be releasing What's On TCM every week from here on out on Sundays and will be doing three Patron posts a week and Wednesday in review. There will be more information about what my book will be on in the coming weeks. More than likely it will be a collection of essays from Patreon posts.

What to Catch on TCM This Week - October 14 - October 20, 2018

Mummy's and goblins and art and love fill this week on TCM. I love October on TCM, it's filled with so many different genres and and the best horror films around.

Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy - Two Americans stranded in Cairo get involved in a plot to steal an Egyptian Princess' treasure. The two men are almost killed when they decide to stop the plot. I remember seeing this with my father at Crystal's Pizza and Spaghetti in Wheat Ridge. My family loved that place we would get pizza, salad bar, and a family spaghetti and watch old black and white movies in Crystal's theater while eating. This is where I really learned to love Abbott and Costello. My father already loved the duo, but being able to see them on the big screen really made me appreciate their comedy and genius. Buck Privates was probably the first movie of Abbott and Costello's that I watched her and I instantly loved their back and forth, I especially adored Lou Costello. He was personable, funny and entertaining. I always thought that I would have to marry someone that could make me laugh like Lou Costello did, unfortunately, I've had a man that makes me smile, but he doesn't make me laugh like Lou Costello, which is probably why I'm not married. Sunday, October 14th at 6:00 P.M. MST.

The Robot vs. The Aztec Mummy - The evil Dr.Krupp is back! After escaping being thrown into a snake pit at the end of The Aztec Mummy, Dr.Krupp comes back full speed to destroy the mummy with his half human/robot to kill the mummy and steal his treasure! It's a fun but a really silly B-movie. Sunday, October 14th at 8:45 P.M. MST.

A Room with A View - Poor Lucy Honeychurch is on an Italian holiday from Surrey with her much older and oppressed cousin, Charlotte Bartlett. In Florence, Lucy meets a young man named George and falls in love, unfortunately, George is not a good man and Lucy returns home to Surrey to marry a very sturdy and emotionally suppressed Cecil. However, George comes back into Lucy's life and Lucy runs. Probably one of Maggie Smith's best roles and Helena Bonham Carter's most noticeable performances, this movie is breathtaking in the scenery and the performances. Monday, October 15th at 1:45 A.M. MST.

Flight of the Navigator - David is sent to pick up his little brother at a friend's house and falls in a ravine along the way and is knocked out. Upon awakening and returning home, David finds that his house is not his house and his parents are missing. David finds that he has been missing for eight years and that his little brother is now older than him and that he had been abducted by a spaceship named Max for a biological experiment and was the Navigator of the ship while on board. It's a sweet story about friendship and family. Monday, October 15th at 8:25 P.M. MST.

The Cat from Outer Space - A UFO crash lands on earth with the most unusual of occupants, a cat with telepathic collar. This little feline is on the run from the U.S. Government and trying to repair his ship since his mothership cannot be reached for help. It's just a cute movie for kids for Halloween, an introduction to Sci-Fi. Tuesday, October 16th at 12:09 A.M. MST.

Lust for Life - The life of Vincent Van Gogh is examined in this film directed by Vincent Minnelli and starring Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh. It's a look at the falling decent of greatness. Tuesday, October 16th at 4:00 A.M. MST.

Salome - Queen Herodias has been marked as an adulteress by John the Baptist and will do anything not to be killed by her husband, King Herod, including using her own daughter to save her life and kill John. Rita Hayworth puts in a wonderful performance as Christian convert Salome in this biblical retelling of the story of Salome. Wednesday, October 17th at 2:00 A.M. MST.

The Walking Dead - John Ellman has been convicted of a murder he didn't commit and sentenced to the electric chair. After his execution his body is retrieved by a Doctor wanting to revive a body and find out what happens to the soul after death. After being revived, Ellman goes on a killing spree murdering those responsible for his demise. Boris Karloff plays the brought back from the dead John Ellman. Wednesday, October 17th at 7:30 P.M. MST.

Born Yesterday - I absolutely love Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn, a mole for an unscrupulous businessman that brings her to Washington D.C. to grease a few politicians for a transaction that he wants to go through. Sure Billie is a little ditzy and loud, but she has backbone galore and an actual brain under all that blonde hair and wants something more for herself than just being used and a plaything. Thursday, October 18th at 6:00 P.M. MST.

Forever, Darling - Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz once again team up as an on screen married couple, this time with a guardian angel (James Mason) to try to help their marriage after Ball's character feels neglected by her husband. The film was a flop for Ball and Arnaz, but still worth the watch if you love to watch them together. Friday, October 19th at 12:00 A.M. MST.

Are These Our Children? - A pre-code film about the dangers of alcohol. Teenager Eddie Brand has just lost an oratory competition and leaves his girlfriend and takes up with a loose girl and her friends and becomes an alcoholic, murdering for drink. Friday, October 19th at 12:00 P.M. MST.

Blackbeard the Pirate - Captain Edward Teach is actually Blackbeard, a notorious pirate terrorizing the high seas and has just taken over the ship of pirate Charles Bellamy. It's a swashbuckling story about the dangers of being a British Officer in the British Navy and a kidnapped pirate bride. Saturday, October 20th at 4:00 A.M. MST.

Sweet Bird of Youth - Based on the play by Tennessee Williams, this film focuses on the failing relationship of a young drifter and an aging movie star. Chance, returns to his hometown with the ageing movie star in tow, not realizing that his move to Hollywood to become a star was orchestrated by the town Boss just so that Chance would stay away from his young daughter, Heavenly. It's the contrast of ageing out of a system that may no longer want you and the beginning of wonderful, naive youth. Saturday, October 20th at 7:45 P.M. MST.

What to Catch on TCM This Week - September 30 - October 6, 2018

That Hamilton Woman - Emma Harts life as Charles Frances Greville's mistress comes to an end when he exchanges her to his Uncle Sir William Hamilton to clear all of his debts. Emma is upset and broken hearted but soon falls for Sir Hamilton and marries him. This is the first film that Olivier and Leigh starred together as a married couple and the last film that they made together. As much as I adore Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara I love her as Emma Hamilton more, this character has a great depth with harsh weaknesses. This was said to be Winston Churchills favorite film of all time. Sunday, September 30th at 10:00 A.M. MST.

The Affairs of Dobie Gillis - Dobie and his pal, Charlie, are in college and dating coeds Pansy and Lorena. Pansy's stepfather wants to keep Dobie and Pansy apart but that shows impossible. A cute musical starring Debbie Reynolds as Pansy and choreographer Bob Fosse as Charlie. Sunday, September 30th at 2:30 P.M. MST.

Operations Eichmann - A highly fictionalized account of the life of Adolf Eichmann from his time as a Nazi SS Officer until his capture by the Mossad in Argentina. Sunday, September 30th 7:45 P.M. MST.

El Sur - Estrella grows up in Spain, living in her father's mysterious world and dreaming of the south. Monday, October 1st at 2:15 A.M. MST

Of Human Bondage - Struggling artist Phillip Carey gives up his art to become a doctor and falls in love with the wrong woman and spends years trying to get her back. It's one of my favorite Somerset Maugham novels and probably one of the best stories about how love ties us to the bomdage of eachother and how we deal with our lot in life. Monday, October 1st at 2:30 P.M. MST.


Lawrence of Arabia - Starring Peter O'Toole as the bigger than life British Army Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence, based on Lawrence's involvement as the British liaison during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Shot with Super Panavision technology using spherical lenses instead of anamorphic lenses, giving the film a fluttering affect to the film, but it's still one of the most beautifully shot films ever made. Monday, October 1st at 6:00 P.M. MST.

East Side, West Side - Jessie and Brandon are having marital issues, mostly due to Brandon's philandering and late night partying. When a murder takes place in there apartment, Jessie realizes that the love is gone. Tuesday, October 2nd at 9:00 A.M. MST.

Only Angels Have Wings -  This is probably director Howard Hawks' most popular and best film that he ever made. It has a great plot line and really makes you care about the lives of the pilots flying for Barranca Airlines in South America delivering mail etc. You especially become vested in the character of  "Kid" Dabb an ailing pilot that is losing his sight. Cary Grant and Rita Hayworth are old love interests, just to watch them on screen together is worth the time it takes to watch this movie. Tuesday, October 2nd at 11:30 P.M. MST.

The Strawberry Blonde - Biff falls for a beautiful strawberry blonde, unfortunately his friend is more outgoing with the girl and wins her over and Biff ends up married to the girl's best friend and realizes that sometimes life just gives you exactly what you need and then some! Cute comedy romance with James Cagney, Rita Hayworth and Olivia de Havilland. Wednesday, October 3rd at 4:00 A.M. MST.


The Phantom of the Opera - The Phantom has started to terrorize the Paris Opera House because he is obsessed with the beautiful songstress Christine Daae. The Phantom is insistent on having his way and seeing Christine in the starring role in Faust and that if she is not given the role the opera house shall be cursed. This version of Phantom is one of the best, Lon Chaney gives an amazing performance as The Phantom solidifying his role in horror movies. Wednesday, October 3rd at 7:00 P.M. MST.

The Bride Came C.O.D. -   Trying to get his debts taken care, Steve decides to hold his friends wealthy heiress bride to be for ransom. And that's where the fun begins, because as much as the heiress tries to get away from Steve, the more she falls for him. Thursday, October 4th at 3:00 P.M. MST.

Tish - A small town busy body, who get everything wrong, moves into a cottage with her friends and decide to raise an orphaned baby. Friday, October 5th at 12:30 P.M. MST.


                                                                                

What to Catch on TCM This Week - September 24 - September 29, 2018

TCM is always a good time and if you can't find anything that you like wait an hour I'm positive that you can find something. This week is a mix of first generation American stories and dramas.

Italianamericans - A documentary by filmmaker Martin Scorsese about his parents experience as Italian immigrants in New York City and about how hard it was to survive in America and about how life was after the war in Sicily. It's a great film with a great meatball recipe at the end of it! Monday, September 24th at 6:00 P.M. MST. 

The Last Waltz - Another documentary by Martin Scorsese about the rock group The Band's last performance at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. It's probably one of the greatest concert documentaries ever filmed. Monday, September 24th at 7:00 P.M. MST. 

The Man Who Cheated Himself - Lieutenant Ed Cullen finds himself in quite the predicament when his new love interest kills her money grubbing husband in front of him and gets him to help her cover the murder up. Jane Wyatt gives a spot on performance as a woman driven to murder and deception, but that might be because I like Jane Wyatt, she always gives interesting performances. Tuesday, September 25th at 2:45 A.M. MST.

Stir Crazy - Two buddies on their way to Hollywood are framed for a robbery that they didn't commit and are sent to prison, while there they find out how bad the prisons are and how a person can go crazy in jail. This is one of Wilder and Pryor's funniest buddy films that they did together next to Silver Streak which remains their most successful film. I loved this film because these two people, who were such opposites from each other become the others saving grace and support. This movie can be predictable but it's just so much fun to watch them get into the situations that they get into you can't help but have a good time watching it and besides it's two of America's comedic geniuses in a movie so how can you not help but laugh? Tuesday, September 25th at 7:30 P.M. MST.

Greased Lightning - I love movies about the underdog and this one is about as underdog as you can get, not only is Wendell Scott a poor man living in Virginia that wants to be a racecar driver, but he also happens to be African American. This movie shows how you can overcome all obstacles that anyone throws in your way to get to your goal, you just have to be determined and not get in your own way and let others take you down. Richard Pryor shows that he could play more than just a funny guy making you laugh, he could pull you into a story and really let you know how that character was feeling. Tuesday, September 25th at 11:30 P.M. MST.

All This, and Heaven Too - Bette Davis maybe the leading lady in this film, however Barbara O'Neil really steals this film as the murdered wife of Charles Boyer's character, not that O'neil's character doesn't deserve it. This movie is more like being at the theater than watching a movie. The costuming is on point and the story line is interesting. It's a little long but it moves at a good pace and you really don't notice because of the intriguing story line. Wednesday, September 26th at 6:30 A.M. MST.

The Silencers -  Fashion photographer Matt Helm's life is about to take a turn when his old boss from his spy days calls and asks him to get back into the spy game! Dean Martin stars in the title role of Matt Helm, photographer by day, spy agent by night. It's loosely based on Donald Hamilton's spy novels involving spy master Matt Helms, who turned up at a time when James Bond was very popular. Wednesday, September 26th at 6:00 P.M. MST.

How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life - David Sloane decides to be a real pal and try to save his friend's marriage by going after his friend's mistress, unfortunately he mistakes the wrong woman for his mistress and starts falling for her himself. Wednesday, Thursday September 27th at 2:00 A.M. MST.

What Price Hollywood?- Waitress Mary is an aspiring actress and has a chance meeting with  high profile director Maximilian Carey and her career takes off from there. This movie is different version of A Star Is Born, except that Max doesn't marry the rising star, instead he doesn't pursue her so that she is not pulled down by his spiraling out of control drinking and failing career. It's a sweet, somewhat predictable story but once again George Cukor spins a wonderful story that you feel that you get more out of it. Thursday, September 27th at 12:00 P.M. MST.

Black Orpheus - Based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, a couple are put together and torn apart during Rio de Janeiro's Carnivale. Orpheus is engaged to Mira and he is not exactly happy with the match, and when he finds the beautiful Eurydice in the apartment next to his, he can't help but fall in love with her, unfortunately things are not meant to be, and of course end in tragedy. It's a sad tale, but at the same time that's what happens when you treat someone else badly, your happiness is usurped in heartbreak. Thursday, September 27th at 9:15 P.M. MST.

The Plumber - A sadistic plumber begins to stalk a young wife, who from the start suspects that something is not right with the man or his work. This one is on here for fun and because I love the work of Peter Weir. Thursday, September 28th at 3:00 A.M. MST.

The Naked City - Basically a prequel to all the murder shows that we have on television these days, this film noir tales the story of a young woman's murder and the police who solve it. This movie also became a television series where a crime in the city was told and how it was solved. Friday, September 28th at 8:15 A.M. MST.

Purple Noon - Loosely based on the novel The Talented Mr.Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, the story follows Tom Ripley as he is sent to get his friend, Phillippe Greenleaf from France and force him to take over his father's business. Things turn sour between the two friends and Ripley decides that he wants Greenleaf's life for his own. Friday, September 28th at 2:15 P.M. MST.

The Odessa File - Young reporter, Peter Miller is stopped at the side of the road listening to the news of President Kennedy's assassination when an ambulance rushes by and he decides to follow it and leads him to the apartment of an elderly Jewish Holocaust survivor who committed suicide. The young reporter is given the man's diary and finds that he had found an SS Officer leaving not that far from him and Miller decides to bring him to justice himself. Saturday, September 29th at 6:00 P.M. MST.

Cinderella Liberty - A sailor out on a liberty pass falls in love with a prostitute and begins taking care of her and her young son while he is delayed orders when the Navy has to find his information. James Caan gives a great performance as John Baggs, Jr. the sailor that is left in limbo. Caan has said that when he thinks back on all the roles that he took after his success in The Godfather that Cinderella Liberty was one of his favorites. It's a tale of love and find your real path in life. Saturday, September 29th 11:45 P.M. MST.

September

 *This is what I sent out to my Patrons this month, but I wanted to share it here as well. Content will be still be available on Sundays and maybe Wednesdays. But I really want to start working toward making Reckless Press more of a reality and focus on my writing and deciding if I will self publish through Reckless Press just to get things going. I'm also going to be re-doing my Patron page and explain more of where money will be going etc. and be more open with the day to day business with Reckless Press.  I think that doing that will get more writers interested in the literary journal and Reckless Press as a viable business and publisher. TCM This Week will still be published this week, so look for it soon! And thank you for taking the time read this! 

September 2018 Newsletter

It’s September and fall. Every time that I think of fall I think of change. Not necessarily changing seasons and leaves, but of personal changes. It seems that we start to make shifts towards finishing goals or starting new goals. For me it’s getting started on my bigger goals and my plans for Reckless Press. I haven’t been doing a lot of posting on Patreon because I have let my personal issues take up all my focus. I think my personal matters have become another way to procrastinate, something I need to stop. I can no longer use my personal life as a way to get out of doing the work. With that being said, I plan on making the following changes with Patreon.

• I plan to start sharing more of what I am working on scripts, short stories, essays etc.
•  Planning on writing a series of Essays that may or may not be titled The Thing About where I talk about why I like an artist, film, comedian, time period, actor, musician etc., and think about turning these Essays into a book that may become one of Reckless Press’ first published book
• Focus on getting more people to become Patrons on Patreon
•  Releasing Photo Essays
• Working on content in a more cohesive and informed way
•  Getting involved more with my audience
• Work on getting more writers interested in Reckless Press and the literary journal.
•  Finish putting together a Facebook page for Reckless Press
•  Become more focused on Patreon as a business and a viable platform

Thank you for sticking with me during this time of change and growth and I hope that we can get things moving in the right direction again! Looking forward to hearing from everyone if you have any ideas etc., please feel free to get in touch with me @ RecklessPressLTD@gmail.and follow me on Twitter at ChristineLarran@ Twitter.com!  

What to Catch on TCM This Week - September 2 - September 8, 2018

I love TCM because I can turn it on and find something that I never thought to look at or something that I've looked at before, but I can take another look and find something new about a film that I never saw before or find something out about life from a film. What I really love about TCM though is finding film that's obscure or something that a film that I forgot about. Like this week there are a few that I did forget about like The Brothers Karamazov, I forgot that William Shatner and Yul Brynner were in a film together, how I forgot something like that is beyond me.

The Brothers Karamazov - Three brothers fight over their father's estate as they gather so that the father can name his heir. Yul Brynner gives an amazing performance as Dmitri Karamazov, the eldest son who breaks off an engagement and fights with his father over the woman that he wants to marry. Very young William Shatner is also in this film as the youngest brother, Alexei. Sunday morning, September 2nd, 10:00 A.M. MST.

Monkey Business - Absent minded scientist, Dr.Barnaby Fulton, has been trying to create a youth serum for his company Oxly. Turns out it's so easy a monkey can do it, and in fact it does! See the fun that ensues in this comedy starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Monroe and Charles Coburn. It's just a cute and fun comedy, Sunday evening, September 2nd, 6:00 P.M. MST.

Hiroshima, Mon Amore - During conversations while ending their brief affair Her and Him, talk about their failed relationship and the similarity to the bombing of Hiroshima. It's a romantic and plaintively thought provoking film about the tragedy of love. Monday, September 3rd, 12:00 A.M. MST.

The Prince and The Showgirl - Charles, Prince Regent of  Carpathia has fallen for a music hall showgirl named Elsie and finds out that his son is planning to overthrow his reign. Elsie gets the Prince to  show his son genuine love and gets them back together. Marilyn Monroe is wonderful in this movie no matter what the problems were during production they don't show up on film. Monday, September 3rd, 3:15 P.M. MST.

AFI Life Achievement Award : A Tribute to George Clooney - The American Film Institute awards Actor and Humanitarian George Clooney with the Life Achievement Award in film. Clooney, has been in some of the greatest films and directed some of the the best like Good Night, and Good Luck about the conflict between Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy. Monday, September 3rd, 6:00 P.M. MST.

O Brother, Where Art Thou - A trio of convicts escape from their chain gang and set out to retrieve a treasure that one of them buried before the area is flooded. I love the music in this film and that it got interested in American folk music and made us realize how beautiful it is. Monday, September 3rd, 7:30 P.M. MST.

Honeymoon Hotel - Robert Goulet and Robert Morse book a vacation that is usually reserved for Honeymooners. The film mostly focuses on the interracial romance between Nancy Kwan and Robert Goulet's characters. Tuesday, September 4th, 12:15 P.M. MST.

Pinky - Returning home after living in the south to visit her black grandmother, Pinky Johnson admits that she has been passing for white while attending nursing school and has fallen for a white doctor who has no idea that she is black. Based on the book Quality by Cid Ricketts Sumner it was a very diverse subject for it's time and made quite a stir, but it's one of the best books about how not being yourself can sometimes not serve the greater good. Tuesday, September 4th, 9:30 P.M. MST.

The Las Vegas Story -  Jane Russell plays a woman that runs out on her lover while he is gone during World War II and returns with her husband years later. It's one of those rare Vincent Price movies where he wasn't in a horror film, so really you have to see it. Wednesday, September 5th, 4:15 P.M. MST.

Living It Up - Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis team up for this buddy comedy about a simple railroad worker that is misdiagnosed by his doctor and given weeks to live and is awarded a trip to New York to fulfill his dream trip. A fun comedy and good acting give this film life, Wednesday, September 5th, 6:00 P.M. MST.

An American Romance - An Immigrant comes to America and becomes the epitome of American success and wealth. Part of the trilogy of war, wheat and steel for director King Vidor, he seemed to always think that it was the downfall of the three because he felt that Brian Donlevy had been miscast. Thursday, September 6th, 2:00 P.M. MST.

A Soldier's Story - Captain Richard Davenport has been sent to investigate the death of a black master sergeant on a segregated Army base in Louisiana during World War II. Denzel Washington gives one of the best breakout performances ever. Thursday, September 6th, 11:00 P.M. MST.

Old New Orleans - A short documentary on the history and beauty of New Orleans.  Friday, September 7th, 7:30 A.M. MST.

New New Orleans - A short documentary about New Orleans in the modern age and how it has blended both modern and old to make an even beautiful city. Friday, September 7th, 12:00 P.M. MST.

A Streetcar Named Desire - Blanche DuBois, leaves her home town under mysterious circumstances to live with her sister Stella and brother in-law Stanley in a New Orleans tenement. Stanley and Blanche get off to a rocky start and it goes down hill from there. Vivian Leigh is amazing as Blanche and, well we all know about Brando's Stanley. This movie is so worth the watch. Friday, September 7th, 1:45 P.M. MST.


Valley of the Sun - John Ware is a court martialed for helping American Indians against their white oppressors and escapes into Desert Center, where he finds Christine who is about to marry one of the crooked Indian Agents. Not the best movie for either James Craig or Lucille Ball, they still try their best in this weak scripted film. Saturday, September 8th, 10:00 A.M. MST.

Robin and Marian - An aging Robin of Nottingham returns to England and tries to start his relationship with Maid Marian but finds her to be an abbess of a Catholic Nunnery. It's a good story about a legendary couple that never give up on their love story. Saturday, September 8th, 6:00 P.M. MST.

The Man Who Would Be King - Journalist Rudyard Kipling is working late in his newspaper office when a beggar shows up and turns out to be an old friend turned adventurer who left years earlier with his best friend to explore India and the remote land of Kafiristan. The beggar tells him their story and leaves, leaving behind a package. Saturday, September 8th, 8:00 P.M. MST.
  

  

What to Catch on TCM This Week - August 12 - August 18, 2018

A big week on TCM with Doris Day, Lupe Velez, George Brent and Peter Finch headlining 24 hours of selected movies. I knew that Doris Day had been in a lot of films, but really I had no idea the extent of her filmography.

The Tunnel of Love - Augie and Isolde Poole have been trying to have a baby, but with nothing happening they decide to try to adopt. Unfortunately for Isolde, Augie is having doubts about having a baby because he and Isolde are still living off of her family's money while he's been trying to get his career started. Doris Day and Richard Widmark play off each other wonderfully in this sweet comedy about marital bliss. Gene Kelly also has a small part in this dramatic comedy. Sunday, August 12th, 2:00 P.M. MST.

Send Me No Flowers - George Kimball, a severe hypochondriac, believes he has just overheard his doctor telling a nurse that he is dying in a few weeks. George, deciding that his wife doesn't need to know about his impending death, throws himself into the task of finding her a new husband. Another cute comedy with Doris Day, with the addition of Rock Hudson as her ailing husband. Sunday, August 12th, 8:00 P.M. MST.

The Painted Veil - Greta Garbo marries Herbert Marshall to combat loneliness and to live an exciting life outside of Austria. Unfortunately, she is not really in love with her husband and begins an affair with George Brent. When Garbo's husband finds out he insists that is she wants a divorce he will grant it under the condition that Brent sign a contract stating that he will marry her and divorce his wife. Not wanting the scandal Brent ends the affair and Garbo stays married following her husband inland to fight cholera. Monday, August 13th, 8:30 A.M. MST.

The Great Lie - Sandra and Peter have just gotten married on an impulse and find that it is not valid because her divorce was not finalized before they married. Peter leaves her and marries his old flame, Maggie. Shortly after their marriage, Peter's plane crashes and he is assumed dead. Sandra finds that she  became pregnant by Peter during their brief marriage. Maggie tells Sandra that perhaps it would be best if she raises the child and Sandra agrees, and the women move to Arizona for the baby to be born. Davis and Astor give spectacular performances and even re-wrote some of the film, making it one of Astor's best films. Monday, August 13th, 4:00 P.M. MST.

My Reputation - Jessica's husband has just died after a long illness and she becomes lonely. She falls for Major Scott Landis and they become involved, but her young sons are hurt by her betrayal to her deceased husband and run away. George Brent is excellent as the understanding Army Major that will wait for the woman he loves. Tuesday, August 14th, 2:00 A.M.

Laughing Boy - Slim Girl, impressed with Laughing Boy, seduces and gets him to marry her and then begins an affair with a rich rancher. Lupe Velez is gorgeous as Slim Girl. Even with her tragic end, Lupe was someone that was going somewhere. Tuesday, August 14th, 12:45 P.M. MST.

The Girl From Mexico - A hot headed singer from Mexico takes a chance and goes to New York for a radio ad opportunity and falls in love with the Ad Exec handling the ad. This is the movie that starts the Mexican Spitfire series of movies that Lupe Velez became famous for starring in. She became one of the only Mexican Woman who became a real success in Hollywood during the silent and beginning of the talkie era. Tuesday, August 14th, 6:00 P.M. MST.

Honolulu Lu - Consuelo Cordoba is starring in a risque nightclub act in Honolulu when she becomes popular with all the sailors and decides to become a beauty queen. Once again Lupe Velez stuns in this quirky little romance. Tuesday, August 14th, 9:00 P.M. MST.

The Abdication- Kristina, The Queen of Sweden has just abdicated from her throne and become a Catholic and goes to live in The Vatican. She promptly falls in love with a Catholic Cardinal despite her vow of celibacy. Peter Finch plays the Cardinal who falls for the Queen and Liv Ullman plays the Queen devoted to her religion. Wednesday, August 15th, 6:00 A.M. MST.

Far From the Madding Crowd - Bathsheba Everdene inherits her uncle's farm and decides to run it herself. She's bold and beautiful and turns suitors away and marries the wrong man. Terence Stamp plays the wrong man that Bathsheba marries and Peter Finch plays second fiddle to him with Alan Bates playing the man that finally wins her. Wednesday, August 15th, 3:00 P.M. MST.

Girl with Green Eyes - Young Kate has just moved to Dublin where she works as a grocery girl with her friend Baba. They are up to typical twenty year old girl things when Kate falls for older, married Eugene Gaillard. Things go about as you would expect, and Kate ends up back living with Baba, who is leaving for a better life in London. The realism of this film is what gets me, it's just exactly what you would get, but it's totally unexpected. The acting is great and so is the life that this sweet, innocent girl is living. Wednesday, August 15th, 8:00 P.M. MST.


Network - How could I ignore Network when talking about Peter Finch films, it's only one of his greatest roles. The breakdown that Finch portrays in anchorman Beale is one of the best ever given on film, he truly lets you know what it's like to be washed up and discarded and Faye Dunaway is just stunning in this film as the woman who seduces him only to exploit him some more. Wednesday, August 15th, 9:45 P.M. MST.

Sunday, Bloody Sunday - Prolific for the times, this love triangle plays out in London between an openly gay Jewish doctor, a young divorcee and a bisexual artist. It's an interesting film and look at love, Murray Head plays the young artist that is caught between the two lovers and he plays it amazingly well. Worth the watch and a welcome after Network. Thursday, August 16th, 12:00 A.M. MST.

The Old Maid - Charlotte and Delia Lovell are cousins and best friends until jealousy comes between them and almost destroys their lives. Although extremely musty and a little played out, this film is still well acted and somewhat a tear jerker because of the material. Davis is great as usual and her and Miriam Hopkins play well, but you can see that Davis was not all that happy with sharing that much screen time with the actress and that Hopkins wasn't happy being in a film with Davis, all because Davis had won an Oscar for Jezebel, a role that Hopkins had played on Broadway. Thursday, August 16th, 2:00 P.M. MST.

The Main Event - Friday, August 17th is Barbra Streisand's day to shine, starting with the ultra kitchy and probably the best/worst Streisand movie, The Main Event, in which Streisand takes a boxer and tries to turn him into a winner. It's a soapy movie with a thin plot, O'Neal does an okay job but Streisand is the one who actually makes this film work. What's up Doc?, Funny Girl, The Way We Were, Yentl, A Star is Born, and Up the Sandbox help round out the Streisand movie block. All are actually worth watching, with Funny Girl being one of the best to catch. Starting on Friday, August 17th 4:00 A.M. MST and ending August 18th 2:00 A.M. MST.

It Happened One Night - This movie is a classic for a reason and it has been Gable's most well known role. It's a quirky romantic comedy about a young woman who has married a man that her father disapproves of and when separated she falls for a reporter. Quick wit and good acting make this a very watchable film. Saturday, August 18th, 6:00 A.M. MST.

Mogambo - Hunting guide Victor Marswell is in the business of big game hunting and ends up finding love in the French Congo. It's a beautifully shot movie with Grace Kelly and Ava Gardner both looking amazing on screen with Gable bringing the acting chops to match their beauty. Saturday, August 18th 10:00 P.M. MST.

What to Catch on TCM This Week - July 29-August 4, 2018

I wish that TCM still did Foreign Film night and Pulp Movies night, some of the most unusual movies in cinema, but this week isn't bad at all, with Walter Matthau heading up the line up as a Transit Authority Police Lieutenant.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 -  Zachary Garber has just had  one of his subway trains taken and a number of passengers held hostage. I'm a Walter Matthau fan and this is one of his best roles and one of my favorite. This film has great photography and the realism of the situation works really well. The supporting characters are very well written and add a lot to the story. All around this is a really good film, much better than the remake in 2009. Sunday, July 29th  12:00 A.M. MST. 

Period of Adjustment - A young Jane Fonda plays a newly wedded nurse that believes she has made a terrible mistake in marrying her husband and Lois Nettleton is having problems with her husband who married her for her money. The couples meet in a bar and counsel each other on their problems while trying to decide if it's worth working it all out. Just a sweet little comedy in which Jane Fonda learns how to develop characters for the big screen. Sunday, July 29th 4:00 P.M. MST.

The Idiot - One of Akira Kurosowa's longest running films and by far one of his best, (also the original cut has been missing for years and topped out at more than 200 minutes). Love and death and insanity plague Kurosawa's vision of Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Idiot. As I've said about other Kurosowa films, he just knows how to tell stories of humanity and suffering very well. Monday, July 30th 1:00 A.M. MST.

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore - Ellyn Burstyn is a woman who has been left uncared for by her somewhat abusive husband after his sudden death in an auto accident. She sells everything she owns and loads her son and heads for Monterey, California to become a singer. This is one of Burstyn's best roles, so much so that it launched the T.V. show Alice starring Vic Tayback. Monday,  July 30th 8:00 P.M. MST. 

Ocean's Eleven - The whole Rat Pack is in this film, not as interesting as the remake, but still very good. It's a fun buddy film. My favorite in this is Sammy Davis, Jr. his character is the best. Tuesday, July 31st 1:15 A.M. MST.

It Happened at the World's Fair- This is where Elvis's dreams of becoming one of the top leading men and dramatic actors is really squished. Cute and quirky at first, the film has no real plot other than to make a woman fall for Elvis. It's the worst, but worth a mention because of it being filmed at the 1962 Century 21 Exposition held in Seattle. Tuesday, July 31st 8:00 P.M. MST.

The Graduate - Another film that I most undoubtedly saw way to early. Ben is home after graduating from college and not wanting to spend another 4 years on what he sees as a waste of time. He begins an affair with his father's law partner's wife, Mrs. Robinson, until he meets her daughter Elaine and falls in love with her and decides on his future, kind of. Catch a young Dustin Hoffman on Wednesday, August 1, 1:45 A.M. MST.

The Man with the Golden Arm - Frankie has just been released from a rehab hospital and armed with a new lease on life and a set of drums that he is determined to get a job playing drums in a band with, unfortunately Frankie's wife is pretending to be disabled to make him feel guilty and stay with her and keeps him trapped in their tiny apartment and tells him he will never make anything of himself and makes him turn back to his former self. Wednesday, August 1, 6:00 P.M. MST.

Libeled Lady - A somewhat silly comedy with a lot of beautiful ladies and a lot of fun! Myrna Loy and Jean Harlow play the women that run the men through their paces. Thursday, August 2nd 8:00 A.M. MST.

Mr.Blandings Builds His Dream House - Jim and his wife, Muriel decide to purchase a house in the Connecticut countryside, unfortunately nothing goes to plan and everything goes downhill. Cary Grant plays the husband suspicious of wife's intent. Thursday, August 2nd 4:15 A.M. MST.

Stamboul Quest - A pre-code spy film set in World War I with Myrna Loy as a German Agent that has fallen for a British Spy. Loy is beautiful in the film, able to get information not only by using her looks, but by using her very smart brain. George Brent plays her love interest that makes her turn her back on her country, kind of. It's a suspense filled love story worth the watch.Friday, August 3rd, 1:30 A.M. MST.

The Devil is a Woman - Conchita Rodriguez uses mean like most women use handkerchiefs, until she falls for the intriguing revolutionary Antonio and decides he's all she's ever wanted, that is until he is imprisoned for nearly killing her ex-lover. Marlene Dietrich is beguiling as Conchita and you can see why men throw their lives after her. Friday, August 3rd, 2:15 P.M. MST.


Every Which Way But Loose - Kelly's Heroes - Saturday is Clint Eastwood day on TCM. It starts with a classic Clit favorite Every Which Way But Loose (That I know we all watch for the orangutan), and followed up with classic westerns, Fist Full of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More. I really enjoy old Clint Eastwood movies you know the ones before he went a little senile and said some crazy stuff on a stage, another topic for another day, I love the lightheartedness of Every Which Way But Loose and the idea that a guy like Philo would fall for a woman with no real substance. Saturday, August 4th 8:00 A.M - Sunday, August 5th 1:15 A.M MST.
 

What to Catch on TCM This Week - July 22-July 28, 2018

Interesting week on TCM, lots of horror and suspense, and Omnibus series thrown in for good measure. The Omnibus TV series with host Alistair Cooke was a long form discussion show on everything from theater to music. I like that TCM sees the value in Omnibus and is running different episodes mostly on Sunday and Saturday nights.

Omnibus: Leonard Bernstein - Starting off the series with Leonard Bernstein and the topic of Beethoven's 5th Symphony and ending with What Makes Opera Grand, Bernstein talks about the art of musicians and what makes it art. Sunday, June 22nd at 6:00 PM MST.

Godzilla - Everything was quiet off the shores of Odo island until three ships are mysteriously destroyed. Reporters show up to the island and the villagers do a dance to appease the beast that is going crazy under the sea. Godzilla is a horror film like no other, it was based on the terror of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. Many audience members felt for the victimization of  Godzilla and felt that he conveyed what America had done to Japan during World War II and how they had been affected in the aftermath of the war. It's interesting how Japan's cinema develops after WWII, there is a definite change, instead of telling stories of the warrior it now changes to a lot of stories about political defiance and getting back at severe oppression. Godzilla, King of the Monsters follows picking up where this film left off. Monday, June 23rd 4:00 A.M. MST.

Giant - A sweeping Western set in the Texas oil fields. Leslie Lynnton falls for wealthy Texas rancher, Bick, marries and sets up a very posh life in Texas. Jett, the local handyman falls for her and is left land by Bick's deceased sister and strikes it rich as it is filled with oil. A feud ensues over the years and love wans, but in the end things are put right. This was also James Dean's last role and one of his best. Monday, June 23rd 6:00 P.M. MST.

In Cold Blood - Based on the Clutter family murders in Holcomb, Kansas, that shocked the small town and scarred midwest towns for years to come, it's about what happened that night and the following trial of the murders Dick Hickock and Perry Smith. Robert Blake gives the best performance as Perry Smith, a man who has no clue what drove him to even murder the family besides depravity of humans. Tuesday, July 24th 12:30 P.M. MST.

Badlands - Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen turn in great performances as star crossed lovers Holly and Kit. The two teenagers are on the run after Kit kills Holly's father. Directed by Terrance Malick the photography of the film is beautiful showing off southeastern Colorado and the surrounding area. Tuesday, July 24th 6:00 P.M. MST.

A River Runs Through It - Based on the book by Norman Maclean based on his childhood in Missoula, Montana and learning the art of fly fishing from his father on the Blackfoot River. The story is mostly focused on the short life of Maclean's brother Paul, who died when they were young men. The cinematography of the film really tells the story of what it was like to grow up in Montana with all that it had to offer. I love the way that they've taken Maclean's somewhat sad story and turned it into such a beautiful tribute to life in Montana, Maclean's childhood and the memory of his brother. Although the movie is gorgeous the book is even better, my favorite passage from the book is, "Each one of us here today will at one time in our lives look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question: We are willing to help, Lord, but what, if anything is needed? For it is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so it is those we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them - we can love completely without complete understanding." Tuesday, July 24th 9:30 P.M. MST.  

Salt of the Earth - Based on the strike of 1951 in the small town of Grant County, New Mexico that is set in the fictional town of Zinc Town, New Mexico. The men strike and then are given an ultimatum from the company that if they strike they will lose their jobs, so the women strike for their husbands. It's a great story about standing up for your family, being a woman and trying to be seen as a human. Wednesday, July 25th 11:30 A.M. MST. 

Swing Shift - Goldie Hawn is a World War II wife that works in an armament factory while her husband is away in the war. She falls in love with another man and has a tumultuous affair and starts a friendship with her neighbor that her husband disapproves of, and becomes the shift leader of her section at the factory. It's a film about the realities of love and war. Wednesday, July 25th 2:30 P.M. MST. 

Tamango - Dorothy Dandridge stars as a slave that is mistress to the captain of a ship transporting slaves to Cuba from Africa. During the voyage a rebellious young slave named Tamango starts a revolt and is able to take over the ship. This movie was banned in the U.S. for breaking the Hays Code because of the interracial love scenes between Dandridge and her co-star Curd Jurgens. 

The Thomas Crown Affair- Starting with The Thomas Crown Affair the evening starts off with Steve McQueen films as he is TCM's Star of the Month. Followed by The Getaway, Papillion, and An Enemy of the People. The Getaway is my favorite with Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw as a couple on the lam after a bank robbery gone wrong. Thursday, July 26th 6:00 P.M. MST. 

The Great Santini - I can remember watching this movie on a Saturday afternoon with my dad in his workshop and I remember being in awe of Robert Duvall's character in this movie. Duvall plays a hard as nails Marine pilot that runs his family like the Marines, unfortunately his son is a little sensitive and an underdog at school, making quick friends with a young black man named Toomer. It's a great story about dealing with life as a soldier with no war. Friday, July 27th 8:00 P.M. MST. 

The Prince of Tides - A man falls in love and has an affair with his suicidal sister's psychologist. This movie is so sad, especially the past of Nick Nolte and his character's sister, it's so sad that what happened to them when they were children by a sadistic group of men tore their lives apart. It's shot beautifully and Nolte and Streisand play off each other very well. Friday, July 27th 10:15 P.M. 

It All Came Together - A gangster uses a homey boarding house as a hideout and gets to know the residences. It's a sweet comedy with Bogart cracking                                                                               jokes and helping old ladies. Saturday, July 28th 4:15                                                                             P.M. MST.                                               .